Premium Keyboard and Mouse | hp | 2016
A minimalist set of input tools designed to fit beautifully within the home
ergonomic minimalism
The keyboard was designed with an intentionally shallow 3° rise that positions users’ wrists in a neutral posture, reducing strain through the carpal tunnel. This was achieved via the use of a thin rechargeable battery nestled in the upper foot which offers size advantages over disposable round cells. The keyboard’s forged aluminum lattice with durable anodized finish provides a stable typing platform and serves as the structure to which everything is attached, allowing for a thin and simplistic build.
The keyboard and mouse were originally designed as drop-in-box products to ship with hp's premium desktop PCs, but later became available also as a standalone accessories due to demand.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
ID Lead: this project was facing severe feasibility challenges and cost hurdles when I took over two weeks prior to the tooling release date. To get the programs back on track, I redesigned the keyboard, generating new CAD and a simplified design concept, and managed an overhaul to the mouse to to achieve functional feasibility while maintaining design intent. Through daily direct engagement with the manufacturer, challenges were overcome and the schedule was maintained.
Devised structures which achieved ergonomic expectations for independent left/right click activation despite the top cover's stiffness due to compound curvature and lack of a split to allow independent movement of left and right click areas.
Devised processing methods to reduce machine time and material usage on the keyboard's aluminum top structure in order to meet program cost objectives without sacrificing on CMF/build quality